In Singapore, a recent legal battle unfolded as a taxi passenger found herself embroiled in a complex court case, seeking damages from the taxi driver involved in an accident.
Ng Xin Ni, the passenger, alleged that the accident had inflicted considerable pain and suffering upon her, hampering her career progress and limiting her opportunities. Following a comprehensive examination of evidence and witness testimonies, the court rendered its judgment on the matter.
The incident
The unfortunate incident took place on December 24, 2011, when Ng Xin Ni was riding as a passenger in the taxi driven by Seah Seow Meng.
The collision resulted in her being thrust forward and injured. Shockingly, she was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident.
An ambulance promptly transported her to Changi General Hospital, where she received immediate medical attention and was discharged on the same day.
The initial medical diagnosis mentioned a “lower back contusion,” and pain medication was prescribed to her.
Treatment
Despite receiving initial medical care, Ng Xin Ni continued to endure lower back pain. Subsequent medical examinations, including an MRI scan at Gleneagles Medical Centre, revealed disc protrusion in her spine, indicating a whiplash injury and a prolapsed intervertebral disc caused by the accident.
In her pursuit of healing, Ng underwent injections and physiotherapy to alleviate her injuries, but unfortunately, her condition worsened over time.
Extent of injuries
As the case unfolded, discrepancies surfaced concerning the extent of Ng’s injuries. The presiding judge took note of certain injuries she claimed were related to the accident but lacked medical evidence to substantiate them.
Consequently, her claims for wrist, ankle, and foot injuries were dismissed. The judge also observed that some of her injuries appeared to be exaggerated, and the conservative treatments recommended by her doctors suggested that the injuries might not have been as debilitating as claimed.
Career
Ng Xin Ni sought compensation for the loss of income she believed was a direct result of the accident. Prior to the incident, she had aspired to become a café or restaurant owner and worked as a bartender to realize her dreams.
However, due to her injuries and frequent medical leave, she had to abandon these aspirations. Instead, she pursued diplomas in other professions and had a varied employment history that included working at her family’s auto-shop and other jobs with differing income levels.
Verdict
Following a thorough evaluation of all presented evidence and arguments during the trial, the judge concluded that Ng Xin Ni’s injuries were not as incapacitating as portrayed.
The judge highlighted her tendency to exaggerate and pointed out that she held multiple jobs while pursuing her studies.
Therefore, the judge attributed a significant portion of the income loss to her own decisions, including her voluntary resignation from a previous job. As a result, the claim for future earnings’ loss was dismissed.
Compensation
Despite dismissing some claims, the court acknowledged the genuine impact of the accident on Ng’s life and awarded her compensation accordingly. Specifically, she was granted S$58,000 for her neck, hip, and back injuries, S$223,562.45 for past and future medical expenses, and S$8,310 for past and future transport costs.
Additionally, she received S$15,600 for the pre-trial loss of income, covering the period after her spinal surgery when she could not have worked.
Overall, the court ordered Seah Seow Meng, the taxi driver, to pay Ng general damages amounting to S$99,200 and special damages amounting to S$231,272.45.